Mardelle Ellis, 80

March 6, 2013

Mardelle Corrine Ellisâ€™s life was filled with many interests, but of them all, she especially enjoyed watching her children and grandchildren play sports, working in her flower gardens, and going to yard sales. While pursuing her interests, Mardelle made wonderful friends and memories that lasted a lifetime.
Mardelle died Feb. 19, 2013, at Jennie Melham Medical Center after a long illness. She was born in Wayne, Nov. 30, 1932, to Harvey and Emelia (Frevert) Larsen. She and her younger sister, Janet (Larsen) Kneische, grew up on a farm southeast of Wayne. She graduated from Wayne High School in 1950 and attended one year of college at Wayne State.
While in high school, Mardelle worked in a drug store which laid the foundation for her work later in life at Redmanâ€™s Shoes, and as co-owner with her husband of Bowette Ladies Apparel and Fariss Menâ€™s Wear in Broken Bow.
Mardelle married Warren Leland Ellis March 30, 1951, in Wayne. They lived in San Diego in 1952-53 while Warren served in the Navy. They then moved back to Wayne where they lived until 1962, when they relocated to Broken Bow.
Mardelle had a strong faith and attended a womenâ€™s Bible study every Monday morning and was a member of Our Saviour Lutheran Church. She was an accomplished seamstress, and enjoyed many years as a Custer County election volunteer.
Survivors of the immediate family include her husband, Warren of Broken Bow; a daughter and son-in-law, Diane and Larry Larsen of Liberty; three sons and two daughters-in-law, Roger Ellis of Aberdeen, S.D., Keith and Karen Ellis of Lincoln, Brad and Traci Ellis of Omaha; 13 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; her sister and brother-in-law, Janet and Victor Kneische of Wayne, and sisters-in-law Rose and Ken Nuernberger of Bettendorf, Iowa, and Barbara and Bob Andrews of Texas.
Mardelle was preceded in death by her parents, Harvey and Emelia Larsen, and her father and mother-in-law Leland and Mary (Owen) Ellis.
Memorials are suggested to Our Saviour Lutheran Church. Memorial services will at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 9, 2013, at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Broken Bow, with Minister Kathy Salts officiating. Govier Brothers Mortuary of Broken Bow is in charge of arrangements.